Legislative Program

Purpose

Throughout each year, the State Legislature and the United States Congress propose and enact legislation, some of which affects local municipal government. The League of California Cities and a contracted government relations firm keep the City of Encinitas informed on proposed legislation from these bodies. At times, it is in the interests of the City to take a position on proposed legislation. This program follows Council Administrative Policy C024 for process and the legislative priorities listed herein.

Priorities and Process

The Legislative Program provides guidelines for the City of Encinitas legislative advocacy. The primary priority areas include:

Protect funding for vital community services

Protect local control of land-use decision-making

Support environmentally sustainable cities

Expand infrastructure investment

Public Safety / Public Health

Coastal protection and enhancement

For proposed legislation, either consistent with the City’s legislative priorities or consistent with legislative positions the City has taken in the past, staff is authorized to prepare position letters for the Mayor’s signature and place the letters on Council’s consent agenda for potential comment prior to being sent. If the Mayor is unavailable, the Deputy Mayor is authorized to sign position letters. All members of City Council receive electronic copies of sent position letters. The City’s government relations firm may also be authorized to express the City’s position in person to legislative representatives.

For Council positions on legislation not addressed in the City’s legislative priorities, a proponent may follow City Administrative Policy C003 to place an item on Council’s agenda for consideration. Council’s legislative priorities only address issues directly relevant to or impacting the provision of municipal services. Generally, the City will not address matters that are not pertinent to the City’s local government services such as partisan, socially divisive or international issues.

PROTECT FUNDING FOR VITAL COMMUNITY SERVICES

Support full reimbursement to cities for all State and federal mandates.

Protect or enhance local government revenue resources.

Oppose State budget cuts targeting critical local programs and services.

Enhance Community Development Block Grant and other federal funding.

Pursue a range of diverse housing opportunities balanced throughout the community.

PROTECT LOCAL CONTROL OF LAND-USE DECISION-MAKING

Protect local control of land use decision-making and oppose legislation that would hinder or threaten local control.

Seek opportunities to regain local control over state-imposed density bonus law.